ISL Transfer: FC Goa rope in young prospect Alan Saji on multi-year deal

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FC Goa has announced the signing of Alan Saji from the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Academy.

The 18-year-old forward has signed a multi-year contract and will be seen in the iconic orange jersey during the 2024-25 season and beyond.

Alan expressed his joy about joining FC Goa, stating, "Joining FC Goa is a dream come true for me. I've always aspired to train and play alongside experienced players, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to learn and grow with them."

Alan's journey began at RFYC when he was just 12 years old. Over the years, he has participated in numerous national and international tournaments. Earlier this year, he played in the Sanix Cup in Japan.

His performances at the Sanix Cup were outstanding, earning him a spot in the Team of the Tournament. Upon returning to India, Alan continued to impress by scoring goals in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL). The Kerala-bron youngster can become a future star and the Gaurs manager Manolo Marquez has high hopes for him.

"Alan Saji is an exceptional talent with a great future. He is fast, brave, very clever in the box, and has a very good aerial game," said Marquez, who is going to play a dual role as coach of FC Goa and the Indian national team simultaneously.

"He has developed remarkably, and we will give him a great platform to hone his skills further. It is, of course, a step-by-step process, but he has the qualities to be an important player for not just the Club, but also for India in the years to come," the Gaurs boss added.

"His ability to operate effectively anywhere along the front line is testament to his versatility and work ethic. We're proud of Alan and believe FC Goa will provide him with the perfect platform to grow further and take Indian Football to new heights," an RFYC spokesperson was quoted by FC Goa.